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How To Work With A Financial Advisor After Receiving An Inheritance

Written by CJ Pepe | May 12, 2025 6:40:31 PM

 

Understanding the Importance of Financial Guidance

Receiving an inheritance can significantly impact your financial situation, presenting both opportunities and challenges. It's crucial to seek professional financial guidance to ensure that you make informed decisions that align with your long-term financial goals. A financial advisor can provide valuable insights and strategic planning to help you manage your newfound wealth responsibly.

Without proper guidance, it's easy to make impulsive decisions that could jeopardize your financial future. A financial advisor brings expertise in investment strategies, tax implications, and risk management, helping you navigate the complexities associated with an inheritance.

Identifying Your Financial Goals and Priorities

Before making any financial decisions, it's essential to clearly define your financial goals and priorities. Are you looking to invest for long-term growth, pay off debts, or create a diversified portfolio? Understanding your objectives will help your financial advisor tailor a plan that suits your unique situation.

Consider your short-term needs, such as liquidity for immediate expenses, and long-term aspirations, like retirement planning or funding education for your children. Clearly communicating these goals to your financial advisor will ensure that your inheritance is managed in a way that supports your overall financial well-being.

Choosing the Right Financial Advisor for Your Needs

Selecting a financial advisor is a critical step in managing your inheritance effectively. Look for an advisor with experience in handling inheritances and a deep understanding of investment strategies and tax planning. It's important to choose someone who is not only knowledgeable but also aligns with your financial philosophy and goals.

Consider factors such as the advisor's credentials, fee structure, and fiduciary responsibility. A fiduciary advisor is legally obligated to act in your best interest, providing an extra layer of trust and assurance. Take the time to interview multiple advisors to find the one that best fits your needs.

Developing a Comprehensive Financial Plan

Once you've chosen a financial advisor, the next step is to develop a comprehensive financial plan. This plan should encompass all aspects of your financial life, including budgeting, investment strategies, tax planning, and estate planning. Your advisor will work with you to create a tailored plan that aligns with your goals and risk tolerance.

A well-structured financial plan will provide a roadmap for managing your inheritance and achieving your financial objectives. It should include a diversified investment strategy to mitigate risk, as well as contingency plans to address any unexpected financial challenges.

Regularly Reviewing and Adjusting Your Financial Strategy

Financial planning is not a one-time event but an ongoing process. Regularly reviewing and adjusting your financial strategy is essential to ensure that it remains aligned with your goals and adapts to changing circumstances. Schedule periodic meetings with your financial advisor to assess the performance of your investments and make any necessary adjustments.

Life events, market fluctuations, and changes in your financial situation can all impact your financial plan. By staying proactive and maintaining open communication with your advisor, you can navigate these changes effectively and continue to make informed decisions that support your long-term financial success.

 

Kovitz Investment Group Partners, LLC (Kovitz) dba NorthCoast Asset Management is an investment adviser register with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 that provides investment management services to individual and institutional clients. Effective June 1, 2024, NorthCoast Asset Management underwent an organizational change and all persons responsible for portfolio management became employees of Kovitz Investment Group Partners, LLC. Prior to June 1, 2024, NorthCoast Asset management was previously overseen by Focus partner Connectus Wealth since November 1, 2021. From 2008 until November 2021, the Firm was defined as NorthCoast Investment Management, LLC. The accounts managed at the predecessor firms are sufficiently similar to the accounts managed at NorthCoast Asset Management, such that the performance results would provide relevant information to clients or investors.

NorthCoast Asset Management is a d/b/a of, and investment advisory services are offered through, Kovitz Investment Group Partners, LLC (Kovitz), an investment adviser registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration with the SEC or any state securities authority does not imply a certain level of skill or training. More information about Kovitz can be found at www.kovitz.com.

NorthCoast and its affiliates do not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.
 
The information contained herein has been prepared by NorthCoast Asset Management ("NorthCoast") on the basis of publicly available information, internally developed data and other third party sources believed to be reliable. NorthCoast has not sought to independently verify information obtained from public and third party sources and makes no representations or warranties as to accuracy, completeness or reliability of such information. All opinions and views constitute judgments as of the date of writing without regard to the date on which the reader may receive or access the information, and are subject to change at any time without notice and with no obligation to update. This material is for informational and illustrative purposes only and is intended solely for the information of those to whom it is distributed by NorthCoast. No part of this material may be reproduced or retransmitted in any manner without the prior written permission of NorthCoast. NorthCoast does not represent, warrant or guarantee that this information is suitable for any investment purpose and it should not be used as a basis for investment decisions. © 2024 NorthCoast Asset Management.
 
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This material should not be viewed as a current or past recommendation or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities or investment products or to adopt any investment strategy. The reader should not assume that any investments in companies, securities, sectors, strategies and/or markets identified or described herein were or will be profitable and no representation is made that any investor will or is likely to achieve results comparable to those shown or will make any profit or will be able to avoid incurring substantial losses. Performance differences for certain investors may occur due to various factors, including timing of investment. Investment return will fluctuate and may be volatile, especially over short time horizons.
 
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